Red Wings' Osgood passes Moog on wins list

DETROIT -- The ice pack strapped to his sore right knee after Monday's game provided some much needed relief for Detroit Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood.

So did the fact he finally allowed less than three goals in a game, something that has frustrated him this season.

Osgood needed to make only 15 saves in the 2-1 victory over Anaheim at Joe Louis Arena.

It was his 373rd career victory, moving him past his childhood idol, Andy Moog, into sole possession of 13th place on the NHL's all-time list. It was the first time in six starts he has allowed fewer than three goals in a game.

This was the kind of defensive performance he was accustomed to seeing from his team the past few seasons. The Red Wings have allowed fewer than 20 shots in three straight games.

"At the start of the year we were giving the puck away a lot and I knew over time we would correct that and we have,'' Osgood said. "It took us a month, but we have gotten a lot better and gotten more accustomed to the way we play. Before, we were leaving guys alone and on an island. Now we're coming back, helping the (defense). To play team defense it's got to be all five guys, and we got that going again.''

Osgood was hit on the kneecap by a wrist shot from Chris Chelios during the morning skate but said it didn't affect him during the game.

"It doesn't matter really, you're still moving around, in your crouch,'' Osgood said. "It's never good to get hit with a puck where it hurts, but it doesn't make much of a difference. You're playing, you're focusing on the puck.''

Holmstrom hoping for Thursday
Forward Tomas Holmstrom skated Monday for the first time in 10 days and hopes to return to the lineup Thursday. He has missed seven games due to back spasms.

"I didn't really force the skating, I just went out there and got the sweat going, so it felt good,'' Holmstrom said. "I'm looking at Thursday, if there's no setbacks.''

Holmstrom is hoping two full practices will get him back into game shape. He was told to do nothing for a week but was able to do some lifting the last few days.

"My first four days I was just feeling pain in my back, it was really hurting bad,'' Holmstrom said.

An ultrasound on right wing Darren McCarty's groin revealed no damage. He missed his third straight game on Monday, saying he hasn't gotten better or worse.

"I don't know the time frame, just take it day-to-day, hopefully get on the ice sometime this week,'' McCarty said.

Cleary covets power-play time
Dan Cleary is trying to maximize his time on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit with Pavel Datsyuk and Marian Hossa until Holmstrom returns. Cleary played extensively on the power play the last two seasons but his opportunities have been reduced since Johan Franzen's emergence as an offensive force late last season.

"Anytime you get to play on the power play, or with Pav and Hoss, you're very fortunate,'' Cleary said. "Tommy's healing up, so when he gets back I'm sure I'll be (off that line), but it's a great opportunity and I'm just trying to make the most of it.''

Cleary has played three games since returning from an eight-game absence due to a scratched cornea.

"The scratch has healed, but there's still a haze in my cornea that's caused me to see 20/45, 20/50,'' Cleary said. "But it's a lot better than what it was before.''

He's confident his vision will return to normal.

"I'm not worried about the eye,'' Cleary said. "I want to make sure my legs are fresh, I got some jump and I can skate and I'm good on the forecheck.''

Conditioning stint for Chelios?
Chelios has been skating for several days and will participate in his first regular practice, today and Wednesday, since suffering a fractured shin bone on Sept. 30.

He could be cleared to play by the weekend. The club has the option to send him to Grand Rapids (AHL) for a brief conditioning stint (two weeks maximum), which it might opt to do, considering he hasn't played in more than two months.